A thief who terrorised staff at a Moray takeaway before stealing cash from a safe in a brazen robbery could be spared prison.
Robert Lawson, from Rothes, masked his face when he raided the Burger King store in Elgin while demanding money from staff.
Yesterday the 40-year-old was warned he faced being locked up after grabbing employees during the late-night robbery when he appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court to plead guilty to a charge of assault and robbery – but a final decision was delayed to see whether alternatives could be explored.
Police described the raid shortly before midnight on October 13 as a “very frightening experience” for staff who were working at the time.
Lawson, who carried out the raid with another person, obscured his face with clothing during the raid on the Ashgrove Road store.
During the robbery he shouted, swore and acted in an aggressive manner towards employees at the takeaway restaurant, which was closed at the time but still had staff performing duties.
The raider also seized hold of employees by the body before demanding that they take him into the office and open the safe so he could steal the takings.
About £1,630 was taken from the fast food branch during the incident. Police say the money was later recovered by officers.
Defence solicitor Stephen Carty urged Sheriff Robert MacDonald to delay sentencing to be delayed so that background reports could be prepared to examine whether his client could be spared a prison sentence.
He said: “I know the most likely outcome will likely be a custodial sentence. I appreciate this is a serious matter, as does Mr Lawson.”
Sheriff MacDonald said: “There is a very real possibility in this particular case, due to the circumstances of the charge, you are facing a custodial sentence – but all options should be open for sentencing.”
An investigation was launched following the incident with police taping off the restaurant while officers searched for clues and investigations were carried out. The take away reopened later the following day.
Lawson, who remains remanded at HMP Inverness after yesterday’s court appearance, had his sentencing hearing scheduled for February 7.
